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	The College's public facilities include DEC Alpha computers, SPARC computers, MIPS computers, and many Intel PCs. The College's network consists of an FDDI ring that connects all buildings. This network includes a number of workstations and personal computers and provides access to numerous computer facilities throughout the state and country. The College of Engineering's network provides access to the North Carolina Supercomputing Center and supports a teleclassroom/teleconferencing facility for transmitting and receiving courses, seminars, and conferences through the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). Several researchers utilize Unix based workstations to provide robust simulation and multi-component interactions for structural, thermal, mechanical, computational fluid dynamics, and electromagnetic analysis. Much of the hardware is Sun Solaris based although some are using SGI Irix or Compaq Ultrix systems. The University is in the process of establishing clusters and ‘computer grids’ that will further enhance the computational power needed for a highly technological research facility. Other research facilities include a well-equipped shop; a scanning electron microscope with X-ray energy-dispersive analyzer; VLSI design and solid-state materials laboratories; a solar collector laboratory; a thermal-physical property laboratory with hot-wire/film, anemometry, and Schlieren systems; photoelasticity and interferometer facilities; a composite materials processing, fabrication, and testing center; solid-state device fabrication areas; integrated manufacturing and human-machine system laboratories; ergonomics and decision support systems laboratories; construction materials and structures laboratories; indoor environmental and HVAC laboratories; soil and water quality engineering laboratory, and bio-process engineering laboratory. Research Centers include the Center for Advanced Materials and Smart Structures, Center for Aerospace Research, Center for Composite Materials Research, Center for Energy Research and Technology, and the Human-Machine Institute.